Hate your job? Here's how to get through the day

Because quitting isn't always reasonable 

For a myriad of reasons, handing in your resignation and booking flights to Hawaii isn't feasible for many of us. It is possible however to make gainful employment as enjoyable as possible, Elfy Scott explains.

Australians’ satisfaction with their jobs is waning. Fatigue, burnout, and an increased cost of living have all been cited as reasons that workers are looking to walk away from their current jobs – and in huge numbers.

One Allianz survey published at the end of last year found that around 1.4 million Australian workers said they were likely to leave their current employment within the next six to 12 months. 

There have been some indications that this dissatisfaction with work has been building for a while now. In 2022, a workplace happiness survey found that around 72 per cent of employed Australians felt unhappy at work in the past year and a quarter were actively searching for a new job. And back in 2021, another study found that around a third of Australians were so unsatisfied with their work, they would be willing to take a pay cut to pursue a career that they’re more passionate about. 

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Covid has frequently been pointed to as the catalyst for this trend as it forced workers out of usual routines (and in many cases, out of work altogether) and forced people to reassess their priorities.

In the year after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a public health emergency, the global north witnessed waves of worker dissatisfaction and reassessment, such as ‘quiet quitting’ and the rapid economic trend of people leaving jobs that became known as ‘The Great Resignation’ in the US. 

However, while it may be the case that many people are still looking to walk away from their roles in early 2024, for a significant number this might not be possible (at least in the short term), particularly considering the ongoing pressures of the cost-of-living crisis and restraints posed by pressures, like the cost of housing and mortgages. 

So, how are you supposed to approach jobs that you hate? And is there any way to turn those feelings around and rediscover job satisfaction? 

People are happier if they have developed good relationships with their co-workers. Image: Pexels

Firstly, it’s useful to get a handle on the biggest indications that your job satisfaction is really low. Dr John Taccori is a career counsellor based in Sydney and says there are a few ‘red flags’ to look out for in your behaviour, including consistently hating getting out of bed and not feeling any level of excitement about going to work, feeling disengaged and unfocused, as well as becoming judgemental or cynical about decisions being made by managers and complaining to co-workers about those decisions. 

Dr Taccori adds that people who are burnt out by their jobs may also find themselves experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, drinking alcohol more frequently or in larger quantities, or taking more sick days than usual. 

For those who find themselves in this position, he says that there are a few options. For a start, people can try to make changes within workplaces that could make a meaningful difference. 

“[Think about] what other internal roles does your company have that you may be able to do? Request a transfer to that other department as a form of personal development to improve your skills and knowledge about the company.” 

Changing departments or altering your role within a company is a useful strategy for identifying what you find most fulfilling and learning new skills along the way. 

Dr Taccori also notes that this approach will inevitably lead to a conversation with a manager asking why you want to change departments and this, in and of itself, could end up being productive. In addition to this, it can help to put your hand up for projects or teams that could change your routine and even simply join in on staff social clubs and events. 

“People are more happy at work if they have developed good and healthy relationships with their co-workers,” Dr Taccori says. 

Changing departments or altering your role within a company is a useful strategy. Image: iStock

As for those who need to plan a concrete ‘escape route’, Dr Taccori says that it’s important to think about what you would realistically prefer to be doing instead of your current role and this may take some “thinking, dreaming, planning and time”. 

While you are constrained by financial (or any other) pressures that are keeping you in your current role, there is external work that you can do to ensure you’re pursuing other goals. Dr Taccori suggests speaking to people who are currently working in the industry or role you think you may prefer as well as researching any necessary qualifications or starting a side hustle and, if all else fails, career counselling may be a helpful choice. 

However, for those who have exhausted all options and find that they are working in a toxic work environment, it may be time to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing. 

“[If] your manager is a bully or has ambitious and unrealistic expectations of your workload, then it is time to leave the organisation. Don’t place your health in jeopardy for anyone like that,” says Dr Taccori. 

“I truly believe that when one door shuts, another one opens – as long as you are prepared to help yourself in actively finding a new job or a new career.” 

Originally published as Hate your job? Here's how to get through the day